USMNT PLAYER RATINGS VS CANADA: JESSE MARSCH GETS LAST LAUGH AS U.S. DISASTERCLASS HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR MAURICIO POCHETTINO
The United States men’s national team will be seeking answers and clarity, particularly regarding their still-unfilled head coach position, following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Canada in an international friendly on Saturday. It's a match the team, and its fans, will want to quickly forget and move on from.
The U.S. men's national team is expected to announce a coach soon, with Mauricio Pochettino reportedly set to come on. It's a good thing for the USMNT, too, because it will mean the world can forget about an absolutely dreadful performance by the Americans.
The one-goal defeat is flattering and Canada made a statement in this result. This was dominant from Jesse Marsch's Canada, who didn't let up from start to finish.
It was a game of giveaways and individual mistakes for the USMNT, who totally wilted under Canada's continual press. Johnny Cardoso's mistake led to a Jacob Shaffelburg goal 17 minutes in. Similar with Tim Ream, whose giveaway moments into the second half allowed Jonathan David to make it 2-0. There were moments in between, too. This could have gotten out of hand.
Fortunately for the U.S., it didn't. In fact, they pulled one back. Luca de la Torre came off the bench to score a consolation, but that was all it was. Canada had the USMNT beaten. De la Torre's goal wasn't going to change that.
The U.S. will now go back to the drawing board. Canada, meanwhile, will celebrate, Marsch maybe most of all. The American-born head coach got one over on his home country but, more importantly, he proved just how much of a difference he's making for this Canada team.
Maybe the USMNT will get their own difference-making coach in soon. Saturday showed that they need Pochettino as soon as possible.
GOAL rates the USMNT's players from Children's Mercy Park...
Goalkeeper & Defense
Patrick Schulte (7/10):
Basically the only thing that stood between Canada and a really, really big win. Had a few good saves, so he escapes blame for this debacle.
Kristoffer Lund (5/10):
The USMNT's best chance, unfortunately, fell to the left-back, who smashed it into the 20th row. Hard not to wonder what this game would have looked like if he'd put that on target.
Tim Ream (3/10):
Awful, awful giveaway on the second goal. You don't ever expect those from a veteran like Ream, but it was that kind of day.
Chris Richards (5/10):
The better of the two center backs but that's not saying much, is it?. Was decent on the ball, but did still get outmuscled a few times in ways that directly led to Canada threats.
Joe Scally (5/10):
Weirdly enough, he passed the ball well but struggled mightily defensively. Shaffelburg gave him headaches all night.
Midfield
Johnny Cardoso (2/10):
About as poor as you can get. So many giveaways, one of which proved extremely costly in Canada's opener. This wasn't the audition he needed.
Yunus Musah (5/10):
Was decent on the ball, although he did dribble himself into danger a few times. Clearly had little chemistry with Cardoso, which is what allowed Canada to dominate the midfield.
Malik Tillman (6/10):
Actually created danger when he did get the ball, but those moments were too few and far between.
Attack
Brenden Aaronson (5/10):
Just didn't really do much of anything. He wasn't bad, particularly compared to some of his teammates, but he didn't amke many positive things happen, either.
Folarin Balogun (6/10):
Had a few moments where he threatened to break out, but only one or two where he actually did. Put both of his shots on target, but none to either side of the goalkeeper.
Christian Pulisic (5/10):
Canada suffocated him from the opening whistle. Marsch instructed his side to not let Pulisic beat them and, to Canada's credit, he never got particularly close.
Subs & Manager
Aidan Morris (6/10):
He won't have known too much about it but, hey, an assist is an assist. It was a bit lucky, as it came form Morris' own mist-hit seconds prior, but you give the Middlesbrough star credit for making something happen.
Luca de la Torre (7/10):
The midfielder doesn't score many. In fact, he hadn't scored prior to Saturday. His first international goal lightened the mood a little bit just as USMNT fans were getting restless.
Haji Wright (6/10):
Nearly got loose for one late and found Pepi for a good chance, but the sequence was ultimately called back for offside.
Cade Cowell (N/A):
Came on to add some much-needed pace. Might have been a bit too late.
Ricardo Pepi (N/A):
Forced a good save out of Crepeau, but proceeded to pass to Wright despite the forward clearly being offside.
Mikey Varas (X/10):
Sometimes, not taking a risk is, in fact, a risk itself. That's what happened on Saturday. Varas largely relied on regulars and, despite that, the USMNT were outclassed early and often. Could this game have been a bit different with a fresh face like Caleb Wiley or Cowell? It makes you think...